chrome ball interview #180: alex olson

CBI for Closer Skateboarding Magazine

photo: ben colen

Chops sits down with AO for conversation. 

 Special introduction by Reese Forbes.

Classic photos by Ben Colen, Anthony Acosta and Giovanni Reda.

Get It Here

=O + Ô

photo: colen

photo: reda

photo: acosta

photo: colen

chrome ball for closer #10: austyn gillette

Chrome Ball Interview #179

 

CBI for Closer Skateboarding Magazine, Issue #10

Chops walks the dog with Austyn Gillette. 

 Special introduction by Danny Garcia.

New and classic photos from Jonthan Mehring, Andrew Peters, Ben Colen, Oliver Barton, John Bradford, Jaime Owens and more.

Get It Here

Thanks, everybody. I really enjoyed this one.

photo: bradford

photo: mehring

photo: papke

the cbi team manager roundtable, for closer #9

"It'll Buff Out."

Something a little different for Closer Skateboarding, Issue #9...

An idea I'd been kicking around for quite some time now, I sat down with legendary team managers Sam Smyth (Crailtap), Brennan Conroy (Alien/Habitat) and Mike Sinclar (Toy/Fallen/Nike) to find out all there is to know about skateboarding's most intriguing gig.

Who's the smelliest dude in the squad?
What's your sketchiest experience on the road?
Who's your most regrettable sponsor-me tape rejection?
...and so much more. 

Probably the most fun I've ever had doing one of these.

Photos by Ben Colen, Mike Heikilla, Oliver Barton, Joey Shigeo and Jaime Owens.

Thanks to everyone involved for making this happen. 

Now available at your local skateshop...
if not, order here. 

photo: smyth

photo: barton

photo: colen

photo: owens

R.I.P. Milo

chrome ball interview #175: tommy guerrero (2024)

photo: ogden

CBI for Closer Skateboarding Magazine, Issue #8

Chops and TG sit down for a little more conversation 

...with a special introduction by Julien Stranger. 

Classic photos from Bryce Kanights, Grant Brittain and more.

Get It Here

photo: brittain

photo: brittain

Order Closer #8

chrome ball interview #170: brian anderson (2024)

photo: ben colen

For Closer Skateboarding, Issue #7

CBI and Bri-Bri got together again for some conversation and good mojo. 

Featuring classic photos from Ben Colen, Bryce Kanights, Dave Swift and Jon Humphries.

With a special introduction by Frank Gerwer.

Subscribe Here

photo: ben colen

...and look for CBI Interview #171 to post here next week. 

Thanks!

chrome ball interview #169: jake johnson

 Chops and JJ sit down for Closer #6

...With a Special Introduction by Chad Bowers

Featuring new and classic photos from Jonathan Mehring, Greg Hunt, Ben Colen, Ryan Allan, Jon Coulthard and more. 

Subscribe Here

Thanks for making this happen.

chrome ball interview #166: rick howard

 Chops and Rickk sit down for Closer #5... Coming Soon.

...with a special introduction by Brian Anderson. 

Featuring new and classic photos from Spike Jonze, Ben Colen, Lance Mountain and more.

Subscribe Here

Biggest of thanks to Rickk, BA and Jaime.

And thank you for all the support out there. 

chrome ball interview #163: brian lotti (2023)

 Chops and Lotti sit down once again for Closer Skateboarding #4

...with a special introduction by Chris Miller. 

18 pages of classic photos from Grant Brittain and Seu Trinh

AVAILABLE HERE

Thanks for all the support out there!

=O =O =O

As a man who enjoys both skateboarding and sandwiches very much, I have been haunted by the following question for decades: What the hell is a Lotti Sandwich? And what exactly is this "Top Secret Recipe"? Can anyone tell me? Is there some type of mystery ingredient involved? Maybe an exotic form of preparation that I don’t know about? What could it be? 

I mean, Brian Lotti has always had impeccable taste... and this is his namesake creation! Not even the Big Spin received such an honor, so this must be delicious. And not only that, it’s also Henry Sanchez’s favorite food! More than anything! I can’t even imagine a more hard-earned testimonial to its greatness. After all, this is the man who turned down Girl, for God's sake. I’m willing to bet that Sanch’s legendarily high standards carry over to his culinary tastes as well, right? But what is it? What is this sandwich? Fuck the Colonel, these are the 11 secret herbs and spices that I’ve been obsessing over since 1993! 

Lo and behold, the top secret formula. Straight from Lotti himself. A sweet sigh of relief... and a damn fine sandwich to boot. I can finally rest easy. Enjoy. 

Big thanks to Brian, Chris, Grant, Jaime, Kurina, Don, Seu, Tara and Elaine. 

chrome ball interview #161: josh kalis (2023)

Chops and Kalis team up once again for Closer Skateboarding #3

...with a special introduction by Jamie Thomas. 

18 pages (!) with new and classic photos from Ryan Gee, Mike Blabac and Tobin Yelland

AVAILABLE HERE

(Worth It For The Cover Alone)

Thanks for all the support out there!

chrome ball interview #159: chico brenes

 Chops and Cheeks Sit Down For Closer Skateboarding #2

...with a special introduction by Aaron Meza. 

Available Here

The Chico interview is 1 of 2 pieces I have in the new issue. Stoked. 

Thanks for the support out there.